Low cost horizontal bar indicator system for on screen displays

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides a bar indicator that minimizes the burden placed on the microcontroller. A horizontal bar indicator is generated that requires very little microcontroller firmware overhead, allowing a less powerful microcontroller to be used in the application. The reduced firmware requirement translates into smaller microcontroller firmware ROM requirements, thus enabling a lower cost system to be realized. The bar indicator uses a single byte written to a counter to represent the size of the bar. This byte written to the counter is readily available from the actual parameter value representing the size of the bar without significant additional calculation. The OSD video coming from the OSD logic is overridden with a pixel overwrite when the location of the bar indicator is located. The bar overwrites whatever is located at the position of the bar indicator. The pixel override occurs for a predetermined time. For example, if the bar indicator is set to the maximum range then the time may be twice as long as compared to the time to display a bar indicator that is set to at 50% of the range.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is related to electronics, and more specificallyto an electronic circuit for an on screen to display a horizontal barindicator.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many computers, televisions, and other equipment use on screen displays(OSDs) to display and adjust parameters related to the equipment. Forexample, OSDs may visually represent the level of volume, contrast,brightness, vertical position, horizontal position, and the like. Whilethe user is adjusting the parameter, the OSD provides visual feedback tothe user relating to the adjustment they are performing.

One common method of visual feedback employed in OSDs is to generate abar indicator to show a parameter's level. A bar indicator typicallyshows the range of adjustment the parameter may be adjusted within aswell as the current value of the parameter. For example, a bar indicatormay be used to display a volume parameter.

A common technique for displaying a bar indicator within an OSD is todisplay characters on a display screen of the equipment. Such an OSDsystem is referred to as a character based system. In such an OSDsystem, several characters are typically used to represent portions ofthe OSD. For example, some characters are used to represent a backgroundand several different characters are used to represent segments of a barindicator. One such prior art system is illustrated in FIGS. 1A-1C.

FIG. 1A illustrates a prior art bar indicator. As shown in the figure,the bar indicator has a range between 0 and 255 and utilizes twelveseparate characters (C1-C12) to represent the range. Within thisparticular example, the bar indicator is set at approximately 135 out of255.

As can be seen by referring to FIG. 1A, each character represents afraction of the bar indicator. In this particular example, eachcharacter represents {fraction (1/12)} of the bar indicator.

FIG. 1B shows ten different icon characters each representing adifferent level. According to the present example, icon 1 shows all ofthe pixels within the character filled, representing a full barindicator. Icon 2 shows 90% of the character filled. Icon 3 shows 80% ofthe character filled. Icon 4 shows 70% of the character filled. Icon 5shows 60% of the character filled. Icon 6 shows 50% of the characterfilled. Icon 7 shows 40% of the character filled. Icon 8 shows 30% ofthe character filled. Icon 9 shows 20% of the character filled, and icon10 shows 10% of the character filled. The icons are selected based onthe value of the parameter to be displayed by the bar indicator.

FIG. 1C shows the bar indicator characters spaced sufficiently toindicate the individual characters comprising the bar indicator. Asshown in the figure, the bar indicator is made up of twelve separatecharacters (C1-C12). To facilitate the effect of a moving bar indicator,a microcontroller runs a firmware routine that takes the parametervalue, as the ratio of the maximum value, and finds the closest numberof whole characters and remaining pixels that fall over to anothercharacter within the bar indicator. For illustration, suppose theparameter value displayed by the bar indicator is 135, and the bar graphis composed of 12 character segments, each segment being 12 pixels wide.In order to display the bar indicator the appropriate size, themicrocontroller illuminates the left most pixels of the indicatoraccording to the following formula: Illuminated pixels=135/256*12segments*12 pixels=76 pixels. According to the present example,seventy-six pixels should be illuminated to show a parameter value of135.

Seventy-six pixels can be illuminated by the following method. First, anicon filled 100% (See icon 1 in FIG. 1B) is chosen for the first sixcharacters in the bar indicator (6*12=72 pixels). Second, an icon thatis closest to having four out of the twelve pixels illuminated in onecolor, and the remaining eight in another background color is chosen.Third, the final five characters remaining of the bar indicator arechosen such that they are in the background color and are not filled.

As can be seen by the above example, the microcontroller converts thevalue of the parameter to a bar indicator. In order to achieve this, themicrocontroller determines each character to place within the barindicator to show the parameter.

When the bar indicator is at its maximum value, the microcontrollerplaces solidly colored icons in each character position of the barindicator. When partial values need to be converted a burden is placedon the microcontroller. The microcontroller slices the icon intofragments and then chooses the character based on the desired size ofthe bar. The microcontroller also has to decide what remnant is left andthen use the character remnant. This requires a large amount of overheadon the microcontroller.

The calculation to determine the characters required for displaying thebar the appropriate size requires significant mathematical computation.Moreover, the calculations are often performed by low powermicrocontrollers using extensive look-up tables. The firmware to providethis feature is quite large, takes up significant ROM space, and usessignificant computation power.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed at providing a bar indicator systemthat minimizes the burden placed on the microcontroller. A horizontalbar indicator can be generated that requires very little microcontrollerfirmware overhead, allowing a less powerful microcontroller to be usedin the application. The reduced firmware requirement translates intosmaller microcontroller firmware ROM requirements, thus enabling a lowercost system to be realized.

According to one aspect of the invention, the bar indicator uses asingle byte written to a counter to represent the size of the bar. Thisbyte written to the counter is readily available from the actualparameter value representing the size of the bar without significantadditional calculation. For example, if an eight-bit value is sent thatrepresents the value then that value may be used directly.Alternatively, the eight-bit value may be converted to a five-bit value,or some other representative value.

According to yet another aspect of the invention, the OSD video comingfrom the OSD logic is overridden with a pixel overwrite when thestarting position of the bar indicator is located. The bar indicatoroverwrites whatever is located below the position of the bar indicator.

According to another aspect of the invention, the pixel overwrite occursfor a predetermined time duration. For example, if the bar indicator isset to the maximum range then the predetermined time duration may betwice as long as compared to the time to display a bar indicator that isset to at 50% of the range.

According to still yet another aspect of the invention, the OSD circuituses less firmware than a character-based system. The character row andpixel location for the start of the bar indicator start position islocated. A timer is used to time the duration of the pixel overwrite.During the period the timer is active, the green, blue, and red video isnot selected from the OSD logic. Instead, a predetermined color is drawnon the display.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A-1C illustrate schematic diagrams of a prior art OSD barindicator;

FIG. 2 shows an exemplary diagram of an OSD frame;

FIG. 3 illustrates a schematic diagram of an OSD frame and a pixeloverwrite area;

FIG. 4 illustrates a schematic diagram of an OSD with the horizontal barindicator at one parameter value within the pixel overwrite area;

FIG. 5 illustrates a schematic diagram of an OSD with the horizontal barindicator at another parameter value within the pixel overwrite area;

FIG. 6 shows an overview schematic diagram of an OSD bar indicatorsystem;

FIG. 7 shows a schematic diagram of an OSD bar indicator system;

FIG. 8 illustrates an overview logical flow for operation of an OSD barindicator system;

FIG. 9 illustrates a logical flow for determining when to draw the barindicator,

FIG. 10 illustrates a logical flow for drawing the bar indicator theappropriate size; and

FIGS. 11 and 12 show exemplary icon bitmaps for use in the OSD system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

In the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments of theinvention, reference is made to the accompanied drawings, which form apart hereof, and which is shown by way of illustration, specificexemplary embodiments of which the invention may be practiced. Theseembodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilledin the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood thatother embodiments may be utilized, and other changes may be made,without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention. Thefollowing detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in alimiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined onlyby the appended claims.

Throughout the specification and claims, the following terms take themeanings explicitly associated herein, unless the context clearlydictates otherwise. The term “connected” means a direct electricalconnection between the items connected, without any intermediatedevices. The term “coupled” means a direct electrical connection betweenthe items connected, or an indirect connection through one or morepassive or active intermediary devices. The term “circuit” means eithera single component or a multiplicity of components, either active and/orpassive, that are coupled to provide a desired function. The term“signal” means at least one current, voltage, or data signal. Referringto the drawings, like numbers indicate like parts throughout the views.

Briefly described, the present invention is directed at generating ahorizontal bar indicator within an area of an OSD frame. According toone embodiment, an area enclosing the bar indicator within the OSD frameis filled with a dark background color and an area within the darkbackground is overwritten for a predetermined period of time with alighter color representing the bar indicator.

FIG. 2 shows an exemplary diagram of an OSD frame, according to oneembodiment of the invention. As shown in the figure, OSD frame 200includes frame 210, screen frame 220, programmable area 230, verticalbar 240, vertical bar indicator 250, horizontal bar frame 260, andhorizontal bar indicator 270.

Frame 210 encloses screen frame 220, programmable screen 230, verticalbar 240, vertical bar indicator 250, horizontal bar frame 260, andhorizontal bar indicator 270. Screen frame 220 encloses programmablearea 230. Vertical bar indicator 250 is positioned along vertical bar240, and horizontal bar indicator 270 is located and sized to be withinhorizontal bar frame 260.

According to one embodiment of the invention, OSD frame 200 is a 6×5character matrix, is preprogrammed within the device, and is static. TheOSD frame may be turned on or off by an external command from themicrocontroller. Each of the characters within the OSD is an 8×8 pixelcell and may use up to four colors. For example, according to oneembodiment, within a simple OSD device, OSD frame 200 appears as shownin the figure. As OSD frame 200 is preprogrammed, the microcontrollerstores and sends only minimal information at power up regarding the sizeand position of simple OSD frame 200 on the displayed screen, and isthereafter simply turned on or off by writing to one register. Accordingto another embodiment, the OSD frame may be dynamic and change based onthe parameter being adjusted.

The simple OSD frame shows the user basic views of the functions thatare the subject of the interface. According to the present example,which is designed for computer display applications, OSD frame 200 givesthe user the appearance of a computer screen. As will be appreciated,many other OSD frames may be designed. For example, the OSD frame maygive the appearance of a phone, a television, or any other deviceconsistent with the application. Within screen frame 220 is programmablearea 230. Programmable area 230 allows substitution of up to sixdifferent characters. Other sizes may be chosen for programmable area230. According to one embodiment, up to sixteen different adjustmenticons (See FIGS. 11 and 12 for representative icons) may be displayedwithin the programmable area to provide the user with information aboutthe selected function. In this way, the same basic information that maybe presented through a conventional non-OSD approach, where the samebasic icons may have either been printed or embossed on the bezel of thedevice, may be shown in the OSD. The icons may be chosen in manydifferent ways. For example, a bit code may be sent to the OSD that mapsthe appropriate icons into programmable area 230 without externalintervention by the microcontroller.

As will be appreciated in view of the present disclosure, the size,shape, and color of the frame and the icon space may be differentbetween applications, but the same general concept may be applied as inthe present example, which is described herein only as an illustrationof the invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary OSD frame for displaying a horizontalbar indicator, according to one embodiment of the invention. FIG. 3 issubstantially similar to FIG. 2. However, FIG. 3 includes pixeloverwrite area 310 and does not show vertical bar 240, vertical barindicator 250, or horizontal bar indicator 270.

Horizontal bar frame 260 encloses pixel overwrite area 310. Horizontalbar frame 260 is drawn by the OSD and is preprogrammed. According to oneembodiment, horizontal bar frame 260 is filled with a darker backgroundcolor than the horizontal bar indicator. According to anotherembodiment, a background frame to enclose the bar indicator is not used.Instead, the bar indicator is drawn without the frame. Other framesenclosing the bar indicator may also be used. For example, the enclosingframe may be longer, wider, or be a different color than the enclosingframe illustrated in the figure. Horizontal bar indicator 270 isdisplayed and is described in conjunction with the figures below.

Pixel overwrite area 310 is the area that is overwritten by apredetermined color to display horizontal bar indicator 270 (FIG. 2).According to one embodiment, pixel overwrite area 310 starts at thelocation column 1 row 4 of the OSD frame and is 31 pixels long. As willbe appreciated the size of the pixel overwrite area may be set to anyarea within the OSD based upon the specific application.

FIG. 4 illustrates a schematic diagram of an OSD with the horizontal barindicator at one parameter value within the pixel overwrite area,according to one embodiment of the invention. FIG. 4 is substantiallysimilar to FIG. 3. However, OSD system 400 includes horizontal barindicator 410. As shown in the figure, the diagram includes a horizontalbar indicator showing the parameter value at about 50% of its maximumvalue.

When the user adjusts a given parameter associated with the barindicator, the bar indicator appears to move in response to the changein value. For example, if the bar indicator is a horizontal barindicator the bar indicator appears to move left or right depending onthe adjustment the user is making. When the user adjusts the parameterto a larger value, the bar indicator typically moves to the right, andwhen the parameter value is decreased, the bar indicator moves to theleft. If the bar indicator is a vertical bar indicator the bar indicatorappears to move up or down in response to the change in value for theparameter. No bar indicator is shown when the parameter's value is zero.At the maximum value of the range, however, it appears that the barindicator fills the entire range.

FIG. 5 illustrates a schematic diagram of a horizontal bar indicator ofan OSD representing a parameter value, according to one embodiment ofthe invention. FIG. 5 is substantially similar to FIG. 4. However, OSDsystem 500 includes horizontal bar indicator 510. As shown in thefigure, the diagram includes a horizontal bar indicator showing theparameter value at about 80% of its maximum value.

FIG. 6 shows an overview schematic diagram of an OSD bar indicatorsystem, according to one embodiment of the invention. As shown in thefigure, OSD bar indicator system 600 includes timer circuit 610, OSDlogic circuit 620, and bar indicator location circuit 630.

Timer circuit 610 includes a SZ input coupled to a bar size signal, aLOC input coupled to node 645, and a START output coupled to node 640.Bar indicator location circuit 630 includes an ADDR input coupled to anaddress signal and a FOUND output coupled to node 645. OSD logic circuit620 includes a BAR input coupled to node 640 and a video output (VID).

Bar indicator location circuit 630 is arranged to receive the addresssignal and determine the location, or address, of what is currentlybeing drawn to the display. When the address of the location where thebar indicator is to be drawn is reached, bar indicator location circuit630 is arranged to provide a found signal at node 645. Bar indicatorlocation circuit 630 is programmed to produce the found signal at node645 when the location of the bar indicator is drawn. The location of thebar indicator may change based on applications. Additionally, more thanone bar indicator may be displayed within the OSD.

Timer circuit 610 sets a counter in response to the bar size signalreceived at input SZ. The counter is set such that the number ofhorizontal pixels matching the size of the bar indicator is drawn on theOSD. If the bar size signal at the SZ input of timer circuit 610 is zerothen no visible bar indicator will be displayed and the counter will beset to zero. On the other hand, if the bar size signal indicates amaximum sized bar indicator, the bar indicator is displayed at itsmaximum size and the counter will be set to a maximum time count.According to one embodiment, the maximum size for the bar indicator is31 pixels long. As will be appreciated, the counter may be set to countmore or less time in order to display more or less pixels.

When timer circuit 610 receives the found signal, timer circuit 610produces a start signal at node 640, and begins counting to thepredetermined time determined from the bar size signal. Timer circuit510 produces a high (logical “1”) start signal at node 640 as long asthe timer is running.

OSD logic circuit 620 is arranged to receive the start signal. Duringthe time OSD logic circuit 620 receives the high start signal, the OSDlogic is overridden and the bar indicator is drawn. More specifically,when the start signal is high, the logic sets a pixel overwrite outputhigh forcing the video output (VID) to a specific color. According toone embodiment, the pixel overwrite color used for the bar indicator isbright green. When the start signal is low (logical “0”), the OSD logicis not overridden and the OSD video is output.

FIG. 7 shows a schematic diagram of an OSD bar indicator system,according to one embodiment of the invention. As shown in the figure,OSD bar indicator system 700 includes timer circuit 795, address circuit790 and selectors 745, 750, 755, 760, 765, and 770. Timer circuit 795includes bar size bit storage 705, counter 710, and latch 715. Addresscircuit 790 includes 6 bit address code 720, NOR gate 725, AND gate 730,3 bit pixel address 735, and 3 bit pixel line address 740. FIG. 7 isshown for exemplary purposes only and is not intended to be limiting. Aswill be appreciated in view of the present disclosure, many other OSDbar indicator systems may be implemented.

Bar size bit storage 705 has an input for receiving a bar size signaland outputs for outputting each bit representing the bar size. Counter710 has a clock input, a load input coupled to node 780, bar size inputscoupled to each bit representing the bar size, and an output coupled tonode 775. Latch 715 has a RST input coupled to node 775, a set inputcoupled to node 780, and a bar graph enable output coupled to node 785.

NOR gate 725 has an input coupled to bit 4 and an input coupled to bit 5of 6 bit address code 720, respectively. AND gate 730 has seven inputs(A1-A7). A1 is coupled to the most significant bit (MSB 1) from six bitaddress code 720. A2 is coupled to the output of NOR gate 725. A3 iscoupled to the least significant bit (LSB 6) of six bit address code720. A4 is coupled to the most significant bit (MSB 1) of three-bitpixel address 735. A5 is coupled to the second bit (bit 2) of three bitpixel address 735. A6 is coupled to the least significant bit (LSB 3) ofthree bit pixel address 735. A7 is coupled to the most significant bit(MSB 1) of three bit pixel line address 740. The output of AND gate 730is coupled to node 780.

Selectors 745-770 each have an input coupled to node 785, respectively,and two inputs that each receives a video signal. Selector 745 has aninput for receiving a MSB green video signal, an input for receiving anoverride video signal, a select input coupled to node 785, and a greenvideo signal output. Selector 750 has an input for receiving a LSB greenvideo signal, an input for receiving an override video signal, a selectinput coupled to node 785, and a green video signal output. Selector 755has an input for receiving a MSB red video signal, an input forreceiving an override video signal, a select input coupled to node 785,and a red video signal output. Selector 760 has an input for receiving aLSB red video signal, an input for receiving an override video signal, aselect input coupled to node 785, and a red video signal output.Selector 765 has an input for receiving a MSB blue video signal, aninput for receiving an override video signal, a select input coupled tonode 785, and a blue video signal output. Selector 770 has an input forreceiving a LSB green video signal, an input for receiving an overridevideo signal, a select input coupled to node 785, and a blue videosignal output.

Address circuit 790 determines when the bar indicator start position hasbeen reached by the OSD logic. 6 bit address code 720 looks for aparticular frame address location. 3 bit pixel address 735 looks for aparticular pixel to start on within the cell, and 3 bit pixel lineaddress looks for a particular line within the pixel cell. According toone embodiment, the start position for the bar indicator is the firstcharacter of the last row within the OSD frame. The pixel overwrite areafor the bar indicator is the first four lines in the last character rowwithin the OSD frame. As will be appreciated many other locations withinthe OSD frame may serve as a starting location. Additionally, otheraddressing systems or systems may be used to determine where to draw thebar indicator.

When the starting location of the bar indicator is found, AND gate 730is arranged to produce a high (logical “1”) signal at node 780. Inresponse to the high signal at node 780, counter 710 is loaded with thebits from bar size bit storage 705 and latch 715 is set. Counter 710begins counting. While counter 710 is counting, latch 715 produces ahigh bar graph enable signal at node 785. When the signal at node 785 ishigh, the OSD logic is overridden and the bar indicator is drawn in thepixel overwrite area. More specifically, during the time the bar graphenable signal at node 785 is high, selectors 745-770 output the overridevideo signal. In other words, the green, blue, and red video from theOSD logic is not selected during this time. According to one embodimentof the invention, bright green is used as the bar indicator color.Therefore, according to the particular example, selectors 745 and 750are the only selectors outputting the override video. As will beappreciated any color may be used.

When the bar value has been reached, counter 710 resets latch 715, thusreverting the displayed bar to its normal background color. In this way,the function the bar indicator can be simply creating, requiringextremely low overhead from the microcontroller compared to conventionalOSD devices.

While the bar indicator is solid according to this embodiment, it willbe appreciated that the bar indicator does not have to be solid. The barcould be striped, or have varying patterns.

FIG. 8 illustrates the logical flow for operation of an OSD barindicator system, according to one embodiment of the invention. After astart block, the logical flow moves to receive the parameter valueindicating the bar indicator size at block 810. For example, if therange of value is between 0 and 31, the parameter value may be 16 toindicate that the bar graph should be displayed half way.

Moving to block 820, a determination is made as to how long the OSDlogic should be overridden to display the bar graph. The duration timeto draw the bar is based on the size of the bar, i.e. the larger thebar, the longer the time duration. According to one embodiment of theinvention, the received parameter value is used as the time duration.According to another embodiment, the time duration is obtained byconverting an eight-bit value to a five-bit value by using the mostsignificant bits of the eight-bit value.

Transitioning to block 830, a determination is made as when to startdrawing the bar indicator on the OSD (See FIG. 9 and relateddiscussion). The start time is generally based on determining when thecurrent drawing position of the OSD is at the start position for the barindicator.

When it is determined to draw the bar indicator the logic flows to block840. (See FIG. 10 and related discussion). The logic flow then ends.

FIG. 9 illustrates a logical flow for determining when to draw the barindicator, according to one embodiment of the invention. After a startblock, the logical flow moves to block 910 where the logic determinesthe current drawing location. The current drawing location is monitoredto determine when the drawing address for the OSD reaches the start ofthe bar indicator.

Transitioning to decision block 920, a determination is made as towhether the current drawing location is the start of the bar indicatorlocation. When the drawing location is not the start of the barindicator the logic returns to block 910. When the drawing location isthe start of the bar indicator the logic flows to block 930 at whichpoint the bar indicator is drawn. The logical flow ends.

FIG. 10 illustrates a logical flow for drawing the bar indicator theappropriate size, according to one embodiment of the invention. After astart block, the logic flows to block 1010 where the counter is started.As discussed above, the counter counts to a predetermined value based onthe desired size of the bar indicator. Moving to decision block 1030, adetermination is made as to whether count has been reached. If the counthas not been reached, the logical flow transitions to block 1030 thatdraws the bar indicator. When the count is reached, the logical flowmoves to block 1040, and the counter is stopped. The logical flow movesto an end block and the logic terminates.

FIGS. 11 and 12 show exemplary icon bitmaps, according to one embodimentof the invention. There are 24 icon bitmaps shown in each figure.According to one embodiment of the invention, these are the initial iconbitmaps for the frames and icons within the OSD system. As will beappreciated, other icon bitmaps may be used depending upon theapplication.

The above specification, examples and data provide a completedescription of the manufacture and use of the composition of theinvention. Since many embodiments of the invention can be made withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention, the inventionresides in the claims hereinafter appended.

1. A low cost bar indicator apparatus for displaying a bar indicator onan on screen display (OSD), comprising: a bar indicator location circuitarranged to receive an address signal and in response to the addresssignal produce a found signal; a timer circuit coupled to the barindicator location circuit and arranged to receive the found signal, andin response to the found signal produce an override signal; and an OSDlogic circuit coupled to the timer circuit and arranged to receive theoverride signal and arranged to output an overwrite video signal inresponse to the override signal.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, whereinthe address signal is associated with a current drawing location.
 3. Theapparatus of claim 2, wherein the found signal is produced when thecurrent drawing location is a start position of the bar indicator. 4.The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the timer circuit in response to thefound signal produces the override signal for a predetermined timeduration.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein, the predetermined timeduration is based on a bar indicator size for the bar indicator.
 6. Theapparatus of claim 5, wherein the predetermined time duration based onthe bar indicator size for the bar indicator is based on a time to drawa number of pixels to represent the bar indicator size for the barindicator.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the timer circuitfurther comprises: a counter circuit arranged to count to apredetermined time duration in response to the found signal; the countercircuit arranged to produce a reset signal when the count has reachedthe predetermined time duration, and a latch circuit coupled to thecounter circuit and arranged to produce the override signal when thelatch circuit is in a set state and arranged to reset in response to thereset signal.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the OSD logic circuitfurther comprises selectors arranged to output the overwrite videosignal when the overwrite signal is a predetermined value.
 9. A methodfor displaying a bar indicator on an OSD, comprising: receiving aparameter value; determining a time duration to draw the bar indicatorbased on the parameter value; determining a start time to begin drawingthe bar indicator; and drawing the bar for the time duration when thestart time has been reached.
 10. The method of claim 9, whereindetermining the time duration to draw the bar indicator based on theparameter value, further comprises determining if the parameter value iswithin a range of the bar indicator; and if so, setting the timeduration to the parameter value; otherwise, transforming the parametervalue to be within the range of the bar indicator.
 11. The method ofclaim 10, wherein transforming the parameter value to be within therange of the bar indicator further comprises selecting a number of bitsto represent the parameter value.
 12. The method of claim 11, whereindetermining the start time to begin drawing the bar indicator, furthercomprises: determining a current drawing location for the OSD; andstarting to draw the bar indicator based on the current drawinglocation.
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein starting to draw the barindicator based on the current drawing location further comprisesdetermining when the current drawing location is at a start position forthe bar indicator.
 14. The method of claim 9, wherein drawing the barfor the time duration, further comprises; starting a counter that countsuntil a count has been reached; and drawing the bar indicator until thecount has been reached.
 15. A low cost bar indicator apparatus fordisplaying a horizontal bar indicator on an OSD, comprising: an addresscircuit arranged produce a found signal when a drawing location has beenreached by the OSD; a timer circuit arranged to receive the foundsignal, and in response to the found signal produce an override signalfor a predetermined time duration based on a size of the bar indicator;and an OSD logic circuit arranged to receive the override signal and inresponse to the override signal select an overwrite video signal for thepredetermined time duration.
 16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein thedrawing location is a starting point of the bar indicator.
 17. Theapparatus of claim 16, wherein the timer circuit further comprises: acounter circuit arranged to count to the predetermined time duration inresponse to the found signal; the counter circuit arranged to produce areset signal when the count has reached the predetermined time duration,and a latch circuit coupled to the counter circuit and arranged toproduce the override signal when the latch circuit is in a set state andarranged to reset in response to the reset signal.
 18. An apparatus foran OSD to display a bar indicator, comprising: a means for receiving aparameter value; a means for determining a time duration to draw the barindicator on the OSD based on the parameter value; a means fordetermining a start time to begin drawing the bar indicator; and a meansfor drawing the bar for the time duration when the start time has beenreached.